With its inaugural service just four weeks away, Emirates hosted over 75 travel industry partners for its Cebu and Clark route launch presentation, given jointly with the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board.

The presentation focused on educating the travel trade industry around the Emirates’ upcoming two gateways.

Khalid bel Jaflah, divisional VP, commercial operations, the UAE & Oman, said: “The circular Cebu and Clark routes will be the first new passenger destinations for Emirates in the 2016 calendar year and our preparations for the launch are currently in full swing.

With a month to go, we are ramping up our activities in our hub of Dubai and around our global network, in order to increase tourism flows in both directions.”

Among the Philippine dignitaries and government officials present at the travel industry event were Philippines’ Ambassador to the UAE Constancio R. Vingno Jr. and Consul General Paul R. Cortes, and Philippine Business Council Dubai & the Northern Emirates Chairman Marian Celeste Carella,

Eric Elnar, commercial attaché, Philippine Trade and Investment Centre, Agricultural Attaché Gil B. Herico, and Dr. Rebecca Desiderio, CEO, The Medical City Dubai.

Since launching to Manila in 1990, Emirates has transported more than 7.5 million Filipinos, international tourists and business travelers.

Last year alone, Emirates transported over 550,000 passengers on the Manila-Dubai route. The new linked service to Clark and Cebu will help enhance inbound tourism, supporting the Philippine Department of Tourism’s campaign — Visit Philippines Again 2016.

Emirates flights to Cebu and Clark will depart daily from Dubai arriving in Mactan–Cebu International Airport. The service will then depart from Cebu and arrive in Clark International Airport.

The return flight will depart Clark arriving in Dubai International Airport.

The two-class configured Boeing 777-300ER, which Emirates will operate on the route, offers 42 Business Class and 386 Economy Class seats.